Oklahoma Ranks Third for Caregiver Burden as Families Struggle with Eldercare

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Norman resident Chloe Flanagan spent nearly a decade quietly caring for her aging grandmother, Nadine Followill, known as Mimi. As Mimi's health declined, Flanagan's caregiving responsibilities grew to 5-6 hours per day, with constant vigilance and anxiety. Flanagan's experience reflects a broader trend in Oklahoma, which ranks third in the country for adult caregiver burden due to a heavy reliance on family caregivers, high costs of adult daycare services, and limited resources for families.

Why it matters

Oklahoma's high ranking for caregiver burden highlights the growing strain on families as the state's population continues to age. Unpaid family caregiving has become a significant, often invisible, responsibility that can take a toll on caregivers' health, finances, and careers. The lack of accessible information and resources further compounds the challenges faced by these caregivers.

The details

Flanagan's grandmother, Mimi, became injured and incapacitated after a series of falls, leading Flanagan to provide constant care to keep her at home and independent. As Mimi's mobility and cognition worsened, Flanagan's caregiving responsibilities grew, with her spending 5-6 hours per day managing medications, delivering meals, refilling prescriptions, and checking in. The work also came with constant vigilance, as Flanagan would ensure her phone was always on and the ringer turned up in case of emergencies. Flanagan's experience highlights the physical and emotional toll of unpaid caregiving, as well as the limitations of institutional care in meeting the needs of elderly individuals.

• Before Mimi's health declined sharply, Flanagan estimated they spent 2-3 hours per day managing her care.
• As Mimi's mobility and cognition worsened, Flanagan's caregiving responsibilities grew to 5-6 hours per day.
• Mimi was temporarily placed in a rehabilitation facility after breaking her hip, but Flanagan found the facility unable to properly care for her, leading to additional falls and injuries.
• Mimi eventually entered hospice care, where she passed away at the age of 96.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The state's Caring for Caregivers tax credit, enacted in 2024, allows eligible caregivers to claim 50% of qualifying expenses, capped at $2,000 per family member or $3,000 for veterans or individuals with a dementia diagnosis. However, this does not address the time, stress, or personal effort required for caring for a loved one.